Research on functional constipation with anxiety or depression: a bibliometric analysis

BackgroundAlthough the phenomenon of functional constipation (FC) that accompanies anxiety or depression has been extensively investigated worldwide, no bibliometric studies are available in this regard. This study therefore aimed to analyze the current status and extent of research and areas of int...

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Main Authors: Xiaoqin Li, Qiang Lei, Jiao Xie, Fang Li, Jing Liu, Yuelai Chen, Qiangjian Mao
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-06-01
Series:Frontiers in Psychiatry
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1607297/full
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author Xiaoqin Li
Qiang Lei
Jiao Xie
Fang Li
Jing Liu
Yuelai Chen
Qiangjian Mao
author_facet Xiaoqin Li
Qiang Lei
Jiao Xie
Fang Li
Jing Liu
Yuelai Chen
Qiangjian Mao
author_sort Xiaoqin Li
collection DOAJ
description BackgroundAlthough the phenomenon of functional constipation (FC) that accompanies anxiety or depression has been extensively investigated worldwide, no bibliometric studies are available in this regard. This study therefore aimed to analyze the current status and extent of research and areas of interest in the study of FC with anxiety or depression.MethodsData from studies on FC with anxiety or depression, that were performed between 2003 and 2024, were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection database. Data regarding the annual number of publications, authors, countries, and references were assessed using CiteSpace v6.3.R1 (64-bit) and Microsoft Excel, and those pertaining to keywords and cited authors were evaluated using VOSviewer 1.6.20. The co-occurrence and clustering functions were then used to generate visual knowledge maps.ResultsThe overall annual publication volume demonstrated an upward trend between 2003 and 2024; this was indicative of promising research prospects. The 427 publications identified included 6 types of papers, among which original research articles represented the highest proportion (357 [83.61%] articles published across 200 journals). Neurogastroenterology and Motility had the highest publication volume (30 articles, 7.02%). The United States of America had published most of the papers (135 articles, 31.61%) on the topic. Harvard University was the research institution with the most published papers (21 articles, 4.92%), and Michel Bouchoucha had authored the highest number of articles (13 articles, 3.04%).ConclusionFuture studies in the field of basic medicine need to determine the etiology and pathogenesis of FC with anxiety or depression; in particular, they need to evaluate the role of opioid drugs as a key etiological factor. The role played by the brain-gut axis also warrants investigation. From the clinical perspective, studies need to focus on evidence-based medicine; particular emphasis needs to be placed on randomized double-blind controlled trials with stringent quality control, high-quality meta-analyses, and evaluation of questionnaires and scales. Treatment techniques need to be explored in greater detail; in this context, it is recommended that fecal microbiota transplantation and biofeedback therapy are adopted in the clinic. Furthermore, Patients with FC, especially those with a history of anxiety or depression, tend to have overlapping dyspepsia symptoms.
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spelling doaj-art-2f1a31b9c8f046edb768daa2c8df55832025-08-20T03:22:03ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Psychiatry1664-06402025-06-011610.3389/fpsyt.2025.16072971607297Research on functional constipation with anxiety or depression: a bibliometric analysisXiaoqin Li0Qiang Lei1Jiao Xie2Fang Li3Jing Liu4Yuelai Chen5Qiangjian Mao6Clinical Medicine College, Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, Jiangxi, ChinaAcupuncture and Moxibustion Massage College, Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, Jiangxi, ChinaSleep Medical Center, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, Jiangxi, ChinaSleep Medical Center, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, Jiangxi, ChinaSleep Medical Center, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, Jiangxi, ChinaSleep Medical Center, Longhua Hospital Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, ChinaAcupuncture and moxibustion Department, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, Jiangxi, ChinaBackgroundAlthough the phenomenon of functional constipation (FC) that accompanies anxiety or depression has been extensively investigated worldwide, no bibliometric studies are available in this regard. This study therefore aimed to analyze the current status and extent of research and areas of interest in the study of FC with anxiety or depression.MethodsData from studies on FC with anxiety or depression, that were performed between 2003 and 2024, were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection database. Data regarding the annual number of publications, authors, countries, and references were assessed using CiteSpace v6.3.R1 (64-bit) and Microsoft Excel, and those pertaining to keywords and cited authors were evaluated using VOSviewer 1.6.20. The co-occurrence and clustering functions were then used to generate visual knowledge maps.ResultsThe overall annual publication volume demonstrated an upward trend between 2003 and 2024; this was indicative of promising research prospects. The 427 publications identified included 6 types of papers, among which original research articles represented the highest proportion (357 [83.61%] articles published across 200 journals). Neurogastroenterology and Motility had the highest publication volume (30 articles, 7.02%). The United States of America had published most of the papers (135 articles, 31.61%) on the topic. Harvard University was the research institution with the most published papers (21 articles, 4.92%), and Michel Bouchoucha had authored the highest number of articles (13 articles, 3.04%).ConclusionFuture studies in the field of basic medicine need to determine the etiology and pathogenesis of FC with anxiety or depression; in particular, they need to evaluate the role of opioid drugs as a key etiological factor. The role played by the brain-gut axis also warrants investigation. From the clinical perspective, studies need to focus on evidence-based medicine; particular emphasis needs to be placed on randomized double-blind controlled trials with stringent quality control, high-quality meta-analyses, and evaluation of questionnaires and scales. Treatment techniques need to be explored in greater detail; in this context, it is recommended that fecal microbiota transplantation and biofeedback therapy are adopted in the clinic. Furthermore, Patients with FC, especially those with a history of anxiety or depression, tend to have overlapping dyspepsia symptoms.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1607297/fullfunctional constipationanxietydepressionbibliometricCiteSpace
spellingShingle Xiaoqin Li
Qiang Lei
Jiao Xie
Fang Li
Jing Liu
Yuelai Chen
Qiangjian Mao
Research on functional constipation with anxiety or depression: a bibliometric analysis
Frontiers in Psychiatry
functional constipation
anxiety
depression
bibliometric
CiteSpace
title Research on functional constipation with anxiety or depression: a bibliometric analysis
title_full Research on functional constipation with anxiety or depression: a bibliometric analysis
title_fullStr Research on functional constipation with anxiety or depression: a bibliometric analysis
title_full_unstemmed Research on functional constipation with anxiety or depression: a bibliometric analysis
title_short Research on functional constipation with anxiety or depression: a bibliometric analysis
title_sort research on functional constipation with anxiety or depression a bibliometric analysis
topic functional constipation
anxiety
depression
bibliometric
CiteSpace
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1607297/full
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